Car rental from Lourdes to SJPdP

[amyshmn]

I will be flying into either PUF or LDE, and would like to take a day to visit Lourdes prior to starting the Camino in SJPdP. Does anyone know if there is a car rental agency which allows for a one-way rental from Lourdes to SJPdP? I discovered there is a car rental agency (Carrefour Market) in SJPdP and a Carrefour just outside the LDE airport. But when I tried calling the LDE Carrefour (+33 5 62 42 76 30) - no one answered. When I try the Carrefour website, I cannot find a one-way option. Does anyone have any information or suggestions?

I've also considered a private driver but discovered that's insanely expensive. My preference is to NOT be tied to a bus/train schedule.

 

[naplesdon]

I looked at Rome2 Rio and the train looks like the best option. Of the many times I have been in SJPdP, I never remember seeing a car rental agency but then the last time I was there was in 2018. However, there are rental agencies in Bayonne so that would be an option.

 

[crhutch]

Check out kayak.com for car rentals. In 2019 I rented a car (one way) from Lourdes to Nice.

 

[Mark McCarthy]

There are two rental agencies at Lourdes railway station (europcar and avis) but I suspect an option for one way to SJPP is not available. I strongly recommend the train journey from Lourdes to SJPP. There are 4 trains a day from Lourdes with connections to SJPP via Bayonne. The train station in Lourdes is only a 10 minute walk from the grotto in Lourdes. If you want to book the train tickets in advance try https://en.oui.sncf/ . For a reasonable hotel with AC in Lourdes try the Hotel Helgon. The manager there, Francois, is a fellow Santiago pilgrim.

 

[Tincatinker]

My preference is to NOT be tied to a bus/train schedule.

Plenty of one-way to Biarritz. You'll need to walk, cab or bus from there.

Please verify that you are a real user

Me, I'd rather catch a train than be tied to pick-up / drop-off schedules, collision warranty, fuel replacement, use & abuse regulations of the average car-hire company

 

[The Kolbist]

when we did our CF last 2017, we visited Lourdes for a pre-Camino pilgrimage . We took the train to SJDPP and it wasnt that bad and it wasnt expensive back then plus we did meet pilgrims who started their camino in SJDPP.

 

[PilgrimJames]

I will be flying into either PUF or LDE, and would like to take a day to visit Lourdes prior to starting the Camino in SJPdP. Does anyone know if there is a car rental agency which allows for a one-way rental from Lourdes to SJPdP? I discovered there is a car rental agency (Carrefour Market) in SJPdP and a Carrefour just outside the LDE airport. But when I tried calling the LDE Carrefour (+33 5 62 42 76 30) - no one answered. When I try the Carrefour website, I cannot find a one-way option. Does anyone have any information or suggestions?

I've also considered a private driver but discovered that's insanely expensive. My preference is to NOT be tied to a bus/train schedule.

You car hire car at Lourdes Tarbes Airport. I've been there many times. Search online. You should have no difficulty

 

[Vacajoe]

I understand not wanting to be tied to train/bus schedules, but you are trading that inconvenience for the bigger ones of car rental office schedules, fueling stations, finding parking, driving, etc.

If you fly into Lourdes, there is a bus that will take you to the downtown area of the Grotto. From Pau, there are also buses and train service. To get to SJPdP from Lourdes, the train is very convenient. There is no need for a car IN Lourdes itself and the added cost of paid parking, gas, etc is another hassle to handle.

if you do rent a car, though, make it worth your while by visiting spots that are close to the CF but which you can’t see while walking: the Aspe Valley up to Somport, San Juan de le Pena, etc. Then the car hassle may be worth it.

 

[Scott Fraser]

I will be flying into either PUF or LDE, and would like to take a day to visit Lourdes prior to starting the Camino in SJPdP. Does anyone know if there is a car rental agency which allows for a one-way rental from Lourdes to SJPdP? I discovered there is a car rental agency (Carrefour Market) in SJPdP and a Carrefour just outside the LDE airport. But when I tried calling the LDE Carrefour (+33 5 62 42 76 30) - no one answered. When I try the Carrefour website, I cannot find a one-way option. Does anyone have any information or suggestions?

I've also considered a private driver but discovered that's insanely expensive. My preference is to NOT be tied to a bus/train schedule.

You can take a grain from SJPdP to Lourdes via Bayone. Takes about 3 hrs.

 

[amyshmn]

Thank you to all for your wonderful and information responses. You've given me quite a bit to think about. I also appreciated all the additional hints regarding places to see along the way, places to stay in Lourdes, etc. Thank you, thank you!!

 

[Eckart.S]

If you visit Lourdes, you are already very close to the Camino Aragones. Why don't you start with this branch of the Camino?

Starting point could be e.g. Somport Pass or Oloron St. Marie. You will then join the main route of the Camino Frances just before Puente la Reina. Both starting points can be reached easily by train and bus.

In my opinion the Camino Aragones is more beautiful and definitely less crowded than the Camino Frances.

 

[mspath]

Here is a useful earlier post re
Starting from Lourdes

Happy planning and Buen camino

 

[mspath]

These both cite going via Lourdes


https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...uy-to-st-jean-roncesvalles-via-lourdes.57158/

or

GR® 78 de Lourdes à Oloron-Sainte-Marie - Mon GR®

Dans cette randonnée itinérante à réaliser en 4 jours au départ de Lourdes et sa merveilleuse Basilique Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire, rejoignez Oloron-Sainte-Marie, ville située dans les vallées du Béarn et de la Soule. À mi-parcours, une halte dans les grottes de Bétharram s'impose forcément !

www.mongr.fr

There are so many choices to ponder.

Whenever/wherever you do go Buen camino.